Dramatiker|innenfestival Graz 2026 - Verflechten

We determine what the future will bring in the present. The patriarchal, Eurocentric and dichotomous mindset of the last two centuries, from which imperialism, colonialism and the idea of the boundless superiority of the human species (or at least of Western elites) developed, has brought our planet to the brink of collapse. It is high time that we overcome the narrative of ‘dominating the earth’ and find a new understanding and relationship with planet Earth, but also among ourselves as human beings. We need new ideas, new ways of thinking, new narratives that give us hope and encourage us to change the direction we have taken so far. We need spaces that give us the strength to rethink and live the world anew. Categories such as gender, social class, etc. must be dissolved. We must deconstruct the identity of the white man in order to make the narrative of the world accessible to all marginalised groups such as women, people of colour, people with disabilities, animals, plants and everything else that exists on the planet.The festival opens up such a space and will be looking for these new narratives in 2026. For the 10th anniversary of the festival, numerous international pieces from the EU project "Future narratives", drama walks with brand new texts from our course "FORUM Text" and international guest performances will transform Graz once again to a meeting place for new drama. In addition, there will be a special theatre programme for children and young people and the presentation of the Vertaalprijs award. One of the main goals of the festival is to connect theatre professionals, especially authors, with dramaturgs and directors, and to make contemporary theatre more accessible to a broader audience.